Carl Faberge's Easter eggs

The most famous decorated Easter eggs were those made by the well-known goldsmith, Peter Carl Faberge. In 1883 the Russian Czar, Alexander, commissioned Faberge to make a special Easter gift for his wife, the Empress Marie. The first Faberge egg was an egg within an egg. It had an outside shell of platinum and enameled white which opened to reveal a smaller gold egg. The smaller egg, in turn, opened to display a golden chicken and a jeweled replica of the Imperial crown. This special Faberge egg so delighted the Czarina that the Czar promptly ordered the Faberge firm to design further eggs to be delivered every Easter. In later years Nicholas II, Alexander's son, continued the custom. 57 eggs were made in all.

Ex. 2. Answer the questions:

1. When does Easter usually occur?

2. What are the main symbols of Easter? Do you think they are the same in Russia and the USA?

3. What are Easter symbols associated with?

4. What is the oldest Easter tradition?

5. What traditions and believes connected with eggs, existed in different countries in ancient times?

6. What are the most famous Easter eggs? What are they famous for?

Independence day.

then – тогдашний to reaffirm – вновь подтвердить civic – муниципальный banquet [ ] – банкет fraternal [ ] – братский

Ex. 1. Read and translate the text.

The Fourth of July is the American nation's birthday. It honors the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which cut the tie with England and established the United States of America.

On that memorable day the Liberty Bell called the people of Philadelphia (the then capital) to the State House to hear the declaration of Independence read out. Communities large and small, with speeches, parades and fireworks, reaffirmed the words written on the Liberty Bell: "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land into all the inhabitants thereof".

After the seat of the government was established in the Federal City of Washington, the President traditionally held open house. At large banquets characteristic of the time, flowery toasts were proposed to the President, to the Republic and to its democratic ideals.

As the country's boundaries expanded and its population increased, ceremonies at the capital were necessarily replaced by local celebrations. Each city and town now sponsors its own ceremony – a parade, speeches by public officials, guided tours through historic monuments, outdoor stage shows, boat-races, and evening fireworks displays. Families, fraternal and civic organizations, all hold daylong picnics. There are baseball games, three-legged races, water-melon eating contests, folk dancing, and lots of lively music.

• The Continental Congress organized when 12 states met in Philadelphia and

adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Articles of Confederation gave to Thirteen Colonies the name of "The United States of America", as by July 4, 1776 Georgia had become the 13^th original state.

• The Liberty placed in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, site

of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776 it rang to mark the occasion of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and on April 16,1783 – the independence of the United States of America.

Ex. 2. Answer the questions:

1. What do Americans celebrate on July, 4?

2. What does this holiday honor?

3. What did the Declaration of Independence proclaim?

4. How do people in America celebrate Independence Day?